District Level Task Force for Children of COVID Affected/Infected Parents - English Version

" District Level Task Force constituted for providing intervention programmes to care and protect children affected and infected by COVID-19 as well as children of COVID affected/infected parents."

Press Release

An unprecedented and unexpected wide spread rise in COVID -19 cases during the second wave had devastated the life of citizens and many had lost their life. The impact of COVID 19 especially affecting children is a serious concern. Since the Government of Tamil Nadu is having greater concern over the care and protection of children in the State, the State had already made a wide publicity among general public on the assistance available to children during the COVID pandemic through the District Child Protection Units.

The Government have constituted the District Level Task Force consisting of seven members including the District Collector of the concerned District as Chairperson for providing intervention programmes to care and protection of children affected and infected by COVID 19 as well as children of COVID affected /infected parents.

The District Level Task Force shall have the following duties and responsibilities:-

1. To check the details of all adult who have died due to COVID 19 and find out any children become orphan or children in need of care and protection and produce such children before the Child Welfare Committee which will decide their rehabilitation such as adoption, foster care, sponsorship etc, and institutionalization as the last resort as per the provision of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

2.  Placing of children in temporary shelters while parents are undergoing treatment and children are left without relative or guardian to take necessary care.

3. Psychological and counselling support to children infected / affected due to COVID 19 as well as children of COVID infected / affected parents.

4. Timely referral of children infected with COVID 19 to treatment centres and ensuring nutritional support during post treatment period.

5. Identifying and designating one registered child care institution in each district and making arrangement to make such institution as COVID care centre exclusively for children.

The District Level Task Force shall meet every week and as and when required for providing intervention programmes to care and protection of children affected and infected by COVID 19 as well as children of COVID affected /infected parents.

ISSUED BY PR, SACRETARTAT, CHENNAI-9